Study Summary

The purpose of this special study is to develop, deploy and operate a cost-efficient network for ambient ammonia sampling at sites across the U.S. There is a need to quantify the spatial and temporal differences in the atmospheric ammonia concentrations across the U.S. To do this, NADP is proposing to run a simple but effective passive ammonia network at as many locations as possible, given funding restrictions. This effort will provide data that describes atmospheric ammonia concentrations over space and time. Additionally, the study will include a quality assurance program to document the accuracy of passive samplers.

Specific tasks of this study are to:

• operate a network of passive ammonia samplers over the U.S. using a two week sample period, and
• test the accuracy of the Radiello-brand passive ammonia sampler against other passive sampler types and denuder-based measurements to record the accuracy, precision, and repeatability of the Radiello NH3 passive sampler.

The resulting quality assurance and concentration information will be reported and provided for general use by others.

The National Atmospheric Deposition Program will evaluate all of the results, and consider whether this special study will become a full standing network within the NADP system. This decision should be considered in the Winter, 2009

Contact:
David Gay,
National Atmospheric Deposition Program
dgay@uiuc.edu, 217.244.0462